¿Qué es un essay en el FCE?

El essay es la tarea obligatoria de escritura del Parte 1 del examen FCE (B2). Debes presentar una opinión clara sobre un tema, usando un estilo semi-formal.

TAREA

Te dan una afirmación con 2 puntos a discutir + espacio para tu propia idea.

EXTENSIÓN

140–190 palabras. Menos o más pierde puntos.

PROPÓSITO

Presentar un argumento equilibrado Y tu opinión clara.

ESTILO

Semi-formal. Sin contracciones ni jerga — tono neutral y educado.

Estructura de 4 párrafos

Cada buen essay sigue esta forma

¶1

Introducción
Reformula el tema + gancho (pregunta retórica / vista general del argumento)

¶2

Primer punto
Aborda el primer punto dado + 1–2 detalles que lo apoyen

¶3

Segundo punto
Segundo punto dado o tu propia idea + detalles que lo apoyen

¶4

Conclusión
Resumen + tu opinión clara (¡obligatorio!)

Lenguaje útil — introducciones y puntos principales

Frases para introducir y desarrollar argumentos

Introducir el tema

Some people claim that…

It is often said that…

In recent years, …

Nowadays, many believe…

Introducir un punto

Firstly, it is clear that…

There is a strong argument for…

To begin with, …

One major reason is that…

Añadir / clarificar

Furthermore, …

In addition, …

Moreover, …

To clarify the point, …

Lenguaje útil — opinión y conclusión

Frases para terminar tu ensayo con impacto

Tu opinión

From my point of view, …

In my opinion, …

It seems clear to me that…

Personally, I believe…

Contraste

However, on balance, …

On the other hand, …

Nevertheless, …

Despite this, …

Conclusión

To sum up, …

In conclusion, …

All things considered, …

Finally, it is important to remember that…

Modelo de essay — anotado

Prompt: "Should schools teach students more practical life skills?"

¶1 INTRODUCCIÓNNowadays, many educators argue that traditional school subjects like maths and history are no longer enough. Should schools also teach practical life skills such as cooking or managing money?

¶2 PRIMER PUNTOFirstly, there is a strong argument for including these skills in the curriculum. Many students leave school unable to prepare a simple meal or understand a bank statement, which creates real difficulties in adult life.

¶3 CONTRASTEHowever, on balance, academic subjects remain the foundation of a good education. They develop critical thinking and open doors to higher education, which life skills alone cannot achieve.

¶4 OPINIÓNIn my opinion, schools should find a balance. Including one practical module each year would prepare students for real life without replacing essential subjects. This seems to me the most sensible approach.

Error frecuente: No olvides incluir tu propia opinión en la conclusión. El examinador busca específicamente eso.

Errores comunes

Errores típicos de hispanohablantes

I think that technology is bad because it makes people lazy.

→

It could be argued that technology has negative effects, as it may reduce physical activity.

Evita opiniones muy simples o absolutas ("is bad"). Usa lenguaje más matizado y formal.

Schools should teach useful stuff like cooking.

→

Schools should teach practical subjects such as cooking.

"Stuff" es demasiado informal. Usa "subjects", "skills" o "topics".

Nowdays, people use phones all the time.

→

Nowadays, people use mobile phones constantly.

"Nowdays" es incorrecto (falta la 'a'). Además, evita "all the time" → usa "constantly" o "excessively".

Don't you think libraries are useless now?

→

One might question whether libraries remain relevant in the digital age.

Evita las contracciones ("don't") y preguntas directas informales. Reformula de forma impersonal.

Resumen

Estructura

4 párrafos

Intro · Punto 1 · Punto 2 · Conclusión

Estilo

Semi-formal

Sin contracciones, sin jerga

Extensión

140–190 palabras

Ni menos ni más

Opinión

Clara en conclusión

In my opinion... / From my point of view...

Conectores

Firstly, However, In conclusion...

Para unir ideas lógicamente

Registro

Neutro y educado

Evita "stuff", "bad", "nowdays"

Practicar ahora →

Essay